Parenting A Toddler

Parenting a toddler can bring special challenges. Toddlers are wonderful little beings that are just beginning to discover the world they live in. They present special challenges for discipline and other parenting skills. Each toddler is unique and the key to parenting is to know your child, their limits, and your patience level.

Toddlers have been looking at the world with wonder and when they discover the thrill of walking, they are able to reach out to that wonderful world. They see many items that look interesting and it is in their nature to want to explore the world they formerly could only look at but not touch. Toddlers learning to walk, do just that, they walk! First they walk, then they run, then start climbing stairs and soon they are taking falls or getting into unsafe conditions. Before you know it, they are climbing on cabinets, the backs of furniture, and out of their crib. What’s a parent to do?

Toddlers need a special parenting skill to keep them safe and out of dangerous situations. Not only are they learning to walk but also they are developing motor skills such as learning to pick up items, guiding them to the mouth, and grabbing anything they can reach. It takes a stern “No!” and a follow up consequence to the actions that are unsafe and harmful. Their little hands are learning to grab, open doors, pull dangling electrical cords, and empty the trash can. Most toddlers want to explore the new world that opened to them. When they begin getting into situations that could cause harm it is time to decide on what a suitable discipline will be if they continue to grab or touch things that are unsafe. One parenting skill that is important at this stage of life is to know when to pick items up and out of the toddler’s way and what to leave. You should make your home toddler friendly, anything you treasure and would hate to see broke…put up!

A toddler does need to know the word no, and you should not clear off your tables to accommodate them. Put items within their sight that will not be broken, or if they are broken will not have sentimental value. Coasters are a favorite item for toddlers to play with and they should have something they can touch without hearing the “no” word.

Remember, your child is discovering a brand-new world and with his increased mobility and getting his hands coordinated so they can grasp items and carry them around. The problem is to decide what behaviors are acceptable and those that are not. A parent shouldn’t laugh at an antic the toddler does, and then the next time discipline the child for the same infraction. The key to toddler discipline is consistency just as it is for older children. Toddlers are special; they have a right to their curiosity but need to be taught what is touchable and what is off-limits.

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